🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
66°F, Clear Sky. Wind 5 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
💨 Wind
5 mph N
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
16%
Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
2%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:36 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:05 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
☀️
66°
Feels 63°
💨 7/10
5 pm
☀️
66°
Feels 63°
💨 1/6
8 pm
🌙
58°
Feels 55°
💨 2/3
11 pm
🌙
48°
Feels 48°
💨 1/3
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
16% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
2% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Tue, Sep 15
Overcast Clouds
💧 Humidity
35% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
37% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Thu, Sep 17
Broken Clouds
💧 Humidity
46% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
62% Mostly cloudy
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
34% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Sep 14, 12:54 pm
A flat accessible loop around one of the most visually dramatic lakes in the Mono Basin. Twisted sedimentary bands rise directly from the waterline in a rare geological contrast to the region’s typical granite.
Trail Overview
This is genuinely one of the most beautiful easy hikes in California. The geology is remarkable — colored sedimentary rock formations that look nothing like the granite Sierra. The back side of the loop gets muddy in early season near the inlet stream. Dogs are welcome and the flat terrain makes this a good introduction to Eastern Sierra hiking for new hikers or recovery days.
This Hike Is For You If…
Everyone. Beginners, families, older hikers, and experienced hikers who want a short scenic loop. Excellent for acclimation day hiking before bigger objectives.
Skip This Hike If…
Nobody should skip this. It is one of the easiest payoffs in the Eastern Sierra.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Flat packed dirt and gravel. Some muddy sections on back side in early season. Boardwalk over sensitive marsh areas.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round. Lake and inlet stream. Filter before drinking.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Popular summer destination. Resort brings day visitors. Mornings and late afternoons quieter.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Early morning light on the canyon walls is exceptional.
This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.
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2.5 miRound Trip
100 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
1-2 hoursEst. Time
7621 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Convict Lake Campground, Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Large free lot at Convict Lake Resort. Fills on summer weekends. Overflow along road.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Early morning light on the canyon walls is exceptional.
Trail Reality Check
This is genuinely one of the most beautiful easy hikes in California. The geology is remarkable — colored sedimentary rock formations that look nothing like the granite Sierra. The back side of the loop gets muddy in early season near the inlet stream. Dogs are welcome and the flat terrain makes this a good introduction to Eastern Sierra hiking for new hikers or recovery days.
Terrain: Flat packed dirt and gravel. Some muddy sections on back side in early season. Boardwalk over sensitive marsh areas.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round — Lake and inlet stream. Filter before drinking.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Busy — Popular summer destination. Resort brings day visitors. Mornings and late afternoons quieter.
Who should do this: Everyone. Beginners, families, older hikers, and experienced hikers who want a short scenic loop. Excellent for acclimation day hiking before bigger objectives.
Who should skip this: Nobody should skip this. It is one of the easiest payoffs in the Eastern Sierra.
